RECAP: Sharks 109, Jets 79

The Southland Sharks have dismantled the Manawatu Jets on Thursday night, cruising to a 109-79 victory at home.

American import Orlando Coleman was sidelined tonight due to injury, but multiple guys stepped up in his absence to ensure a victory for the Sharks.

Jarrad Weeks recorded 18 points, four rebounds and four assists on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from three, while Luke Aston dropped 16 points and seven rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting and 4-of-7 from three.

Alex Pledger was solid down low for Southland, managing 15 points and eight boards. James Hunter added 15 points and seven rebounds, and Tom Vodanovich scored 14 in his 22 minutes of action.

The Sharks certainly had no shortage of productive performances tonight, as Derone Raukawa also had a great game with 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes.

Kuran Iverson led the Jets in scoring with 28 points, adding 10 rebounds and two blocks in 36 minutes of play. He shot 9-of-22 from the field, 8-of-9 from the line and 2-of-9 from three.

Fellow American Daishon Knight canned 22 points but shot just 8-of-24 from the field and 1-of-10 from downtown. Knight’s inconsistent shooting has held the Jets back a bit, but he’s managed to remain productive across the board regardless.

Imports Iverson and Knight are clearly the main options for Manawatu, but for the team to succeed they’re going to need some more production from others on the roster.

The Jets shot just 34 per cent as a team and only dished out five assists to the Sharks’ 27 – an alarming deficit.

Southland’s win takes them to 3-2 on the season, while the Jets drop to 0-3.